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LA Sparks WIN first game of the Season 84-79 #WNBA
35 Plays7 months ago
The new look LA Sparks might be young but you shouldn't count us out! BIG WIN over the new Super Team in Seattle. #WNBA
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sportspodcast , reaction , commentary , basketballb , wnba , lasparks , basketballcommentary , losangelessparks , womenssbasketball , wnbahighlights , espn , wnbanews
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Transcript
Introduction and New Segment Announcement
00:00:00
Speaker
What's going on, y'all? We are going live here. Let me make sure I am on Instagram as well. This is a new thing that I'm starting for, WNBA season night. Usually you will see me in studio for the LA Sparks weekly show, but we are currently in the preseason. So the girls are up in Canada. We are at our home studios, but we will be tuning into the press conference. What's going on, y'all? I'm DJ Tracey Treats for those that don't know. Welcome to the Spark. This is my WNBA.
00:00:28
Speaker
sports commentary podcast for the LA Sparks. Y'all a huge fan. I also do a show called the LA Sparks weekly show where we are actually on court, but we are not doing that today because it's preseason and it grows up in Canada. So we just joined it from the computer. I hope y'all just tapped in and just finished. I just finished that nuggets and Timberwolves game. That was absolutely insane.
LA Sparks Starting Lineup Reveal
00:00:49
Speaker
Whoo, I mean, just take a breath after that. We are looking at the Sparks is starting five. They just released their starting five. We got Lexi Brown starting, Leisha Clarendon starting, Kia Nurse starting, Cameron Brink, the rookie made the starting lineup. That's huge. Dierka Hamby. I'm not surprised though, because Cameron Brink and Dierka Hamby just played together in the US three on threes for USA basketball.
00:01:15
Speaker
Now it's been pretty busy for me for WNBA season starting off already. I got to go to the draft party, which I did a nice recap for. So I won't talk about that here, but I also just recently last week went to the LA Sparks media day and got to talk to all the players, which this was the first time I'm slowly dripping content on my YouTube. I've been dropping some reels on Instagram, but I'm going live everywhere. I should be everywhere streaming right now.
00:01:40
Speaker
just to see who want to watch what where because i'm gonna be doing this every week and dropping it in audio on the podcast after i'm done with this but i want to see who who wants to see what this is pretty much just a watch party i'm gonna be watching the game i can't show you the press conference but i'll show you some of the clips after i'm done and um drop some comments let's chat this is the first time that the rookies are going to be playing i am shocked shocked shocked
00:02:03
Speaker
That Cameron Brink made the starting lineup, but not really that shocked because she's
Exploring New Markets: WNBA Expansion
00:02:08
Speaker
tall. She can hoop. They need their rim protection. And she's been playing for a while. I'm really excited to see Rakia play. If y'all haven't checked it out, I'm going to pull up ESPN here so y'all can see the new Sparks players. The full roster right now, De'Erica Hanby. Azaray has heard. Let me actually, this is last season. Pull up the roster. Roster.
00:02:31
Speaker
So Julie Alleman before training camp actually got hurt. So she will not be joining the Sparks here today up in Canada. This is also a good time to have a game in Canada. Let's talk about that a little bit because everybody's crying for the WNBA to have an expansion team and me too. You know, we want more roster spots for these young ladies and they have to go around and try games in different markets. And Canada is one of those markets. We already know that the Toronto Raptors are a successful franchise. They could have a partner.
Nneka Ogwumike's Transfer Reaction
00:03:00
Speaker
WNBA team like Golden State is getting as well. We'll see. We'll see. I'm hoping for the Houston comments before any team up in Toronto. And that's just me. Just because the comments were already a team. Everybody was already rocking with them. They are champions. You got the real OGs, Sheryl Swoopson and Cynthia Cooper and Tina Thompson, all of them, you know.
00:03:22
Speaker
Don't you want to bring back that franchise? But I'll be hanging out this entire stream. The game has not started yet. It's supposed to start at 6.30 my time. So let me refresh my browser over here. Because we don't get a pregame show or nothing like that either. Let me see what channel is it on. It ain't on the channel. I think it's just on the WNBA app. If y'all haven't checked that out already, it's only 30 bucks. I had it last season. You can set it to auto renew. It don't cost that much. And then if you miss the games, you can actually watch the last latest version of the game.
00:03:50
Speaker
I'm excited to talk about something today that's
Sparks vs. Seattle Preseason Game Highlights
00:03:52
Speaker
not this Kendrick and Drake beef. You are the game is starting. Let me see if I can turn up a little bit of audio and not get a copyright strike. Hopefully y'all can hear this. Let me know if y'all can't. They just doing a little bit of the pre-work. Now, another thing that I want to talk about is this is the first time that the Sparks will be playing Nneka Ogwumike. Nneka has been a LA Sparks star and champion. I think she played six seasons.
00:04:14
Speaker
Correct me if I'm wrong, but now she's playing with the Seattle Storm. Today is also Skylar Diggins' first game back. Like, oh my goodness. So we checking that out as well. And Jewel Lloyd was already holding it down for Seattle. So Seattle is a little bit of a super team right now, in my personal opinion.
00:04:30
Speaker
You know, they took some time to rebuild, but they got some players, so let's check it out. I can't show it on the screen, so don't ask me to do that because of the WNBA app, but just go get it. You know, you got a little bit of the sound, hopefully, here. And I'll be giving my feedback as well. All right, Monique Billings, that's another player that I got to talk to, and I am really enjoying watching Monique play. I'm shocked she's not in the starting five, actually, but, you know, coming off the bench as that sixth woman,
00:04:57
Speaker
That might be, yeah, this camera bring probably at the start of a Monique, I understand. It's all good. So they haven't cut, so the sparks haven't waved anybody yet. It doesn't look like from that training
Roster Speculations and Rookie Performances
00:05:12
Speaker
camp. I don't see any announcements there, but there are a couple injuries. Azaray and Julie are out for tonight. Let's see what they're talking about. This is the first time she's doing it in a WIB. It's actually the first time she's gonna be
00:05:25
Speaker
Kia is from Canada, but she's not from Edmonton. She made sure and told us that in the press conference, her brother plays for the hockey team up there, professional hockey team. And they were actually in LA and she got to watch him play. And now she's up there and he gets to watch her play. It's pretty though.
00:05:40
Speaker
Come on, Lexi. And let's not forget Mackenzie Forbes. Mackenzie might not get no play time today, or maybe she will, depending on how Coach Miller decides to do his rotations today and what he decides to try out. This is a really good game to try out any kind of rotation because you're playing a really, really good team. So shout out to all the rookies that are playing today.
00:06:08
Speaker
They're more reloading, Amy, when you look at the big three that they put together going into this season. They talk about the Seattle victory. It's crazy. It's crazy. It's crazy. It's crazy. It's crazy. It's crazy.
00:06:34
Speaker
Jewel Lloyd, she's been waiting for this moment. She is, man. She had a good season last year. Even though her team was not so good. For those of y'all that missed a starting five, it's Lexi Brown, Leisha Clarendon, Kia Nurse, Cameron Brink, and De'Erika Hamby. Excited to see how this rotation plays together. This is our first time even
00:07:25
Speaker
I am mad jealous that I couldn't get out to Canada to watch this game because usually when you have games in places where there's no team in the market, more people show up. So this is a good, this would be a good time to just see what the expansion would look like if they put a team up in Toronto. Let's go.
00:07:30
Speaker
watching these sparks play, by the way, alright?
Candace Parker's Impact on WNBA
00:07:49
Speaker
Now let's meet the starting lineup for tonight's game first for the Los Angeles part let's go Number four Lexi come on Lexi The
00:08:13
Speaker
It's crazy watching the very first Sparks starting lineup of the season and it not be at home. This is nuts. Come on, Cameron. That's so awesome. Yeah, D.
00:08:38
Speaker
And starting at forward from Hamilton, Ontario, from the University of Connecticut. They had to start Kia. All her friends and family and stuff there, they had to start her. The Sparks are led by head coach Kurt Miller. Let's go, Kurt. Make some noise for the Los Angeles Sparks. I'm excited to see what the Sparks got for us. Now I do think.
00:09:07
Speaker
All right, I'll let this play because I want to see Skylar Diggins. That's wild. Wow. This is the first time that I've ever heard NECA be introduced and it's not for the farts. I don't like it. I don't like it.
00:09:31
Speaker
Starting at Setter from Tennessee, number 21, Mercedes Russell.
Game Strategy and Player Performance Analysis
00:09:40
Speaker
Starting at Yard from Notre Dame, number four, Skyler Smoot! Now, I don't want Skyler Niggens to take out all of her past transgressions on us this game. She back, but don't make a statement, girl. Come on, you already got Jewel Loy and Neca. Jewel Loy!
00:10:01
Speaker
Wild, wild to be watching this for the first time. Wild to be watching this for the first time y'all.
00:10:15
Speaker
Absolutely insane. The WNBA Canada game is presented by Tangerine. I cannot believe. Literally, all last season, people were saying that Necca was gone. It was rumors. Necca's going to leave Necca's. And I was like, man, where else would she go? I couldn't believe that. I couldn't see it. But now actually seeing her on another team is like, wow, wow, wow, wow.
00:10:34
Speaker
I do think we got a chance. I think people are going to underestimate the sparks. They they're talking about the starting lineup here. Lexi Brown, Leisha Clarendon, Kia Nurse, Dierka Hamby, Cameron Brink. I don't know Russell. I don't know Russell. They, they sent her, but I knew they was going to start Nneka, Jewel, and Skyler because that's their big three. Makes sense. That's what he's talking about right now.
00:11:00
Speaker
That is why I mean completely now people who are sparks fans know exactly what I'm talking about. That's a while Tell them I like how they got that little recruitment that got her out there saying y'all better come to these games You're trying to do something for you. Dang, Jordan horse and not playing Nika mule. She's not playing. What's wrong? What's wrong honey? Let's see what's gonna happen. Let's see what's gonna happen here. Oh
00:11:26
Speaker
I'm excited, I don't think the Sparks is gonna take that much of a beating. I don't think that. I think that we have hope, people gonna catch us off, you know, people gonna underestimate us. I got positive feelings about this season, let's go. Come on, Cam! Cam with the, already with the tip, I like this. All right. All right, Kia. That was all good. Shake it off, shake it off. I know, De'Erika got a foul.
00:11:55
Speaker
The Erica already got a foul. Come on, no easy buckets, no easy buckets. Skylar already scored. There you go Lexi. There you go. I literally was just talking to Lexi at media day and told her, listen, you are arguably in my opinion, one of the best three point shooters in the league right now. What are your plans? We see her plans. First minute of the game, I already got a three. Let's go Lexi.
00:12:24
Speaker
All right. Where did Victoria Vivian's come from? That was a foul. They fouling already. They fouling. They fouling already. I'm excited to see how many points Camry get, because I know she could score in the paint. That double screen. Ooh, right to Leisha. Come on, offensive rebounds. Come on, help, help.
00:12:52
Speaker
Why would Necca do that to her? Necca?
00:12:56
Speaker
Nick Hamilton on here. Talking about some Gold Storm. You know, you know why I don't like that over here. I'm shocked over here that Nick is even playing for Noel right now, man. My heart is broken. Leave me be. You wild, man. Thanks for joining. I think the spark's gonna take this game. Just my point. We already got another jump ball. We only admitted into this game. Wild. I can't believe Skylar Diggins is back playing. This is like,
00:13:27
Speaker
prime time TV right here. That ain't Skyward. Jewel Lloyd. Oh my goodness. She didn't even set her feet. Help. Oh, they doubling the point guard. We got to just say you go. This is why Leisha is one of the best defensive players, period. Okay. She's not going to give up on the plate. That was a double. That was travel. She didn't give up though. Leisha did not give up.
00:13:55
Speaker
Talk about quickly. Man, you did tell me, Nick, about NECA and I did not believe you because I am a positive thinker and you know I believe in the power of positive thinking. I was trying to hope that she would stay around and that she hid in her little mirror and shy on us. My heart is broken. I do love seeing Skylar back though, so any game that Skylar playing in, I mess with.
00:14:19
Speaker
Come on, come on. We're gonna shoot that three in the key. That pick and roll. That pick and roll. Yeah, Noneka. Are you talking about Noneka? No, Noneka. I don't know what's wrong with her. Let's say she out. Let's look at her stats. I was shocked that she was out as well. Somebody on YouTube. Let's see what's wrong with her.
00:14:44
Speaker
They said she active, but she just not playing. Yikes. Let's go. Shoot it, Lexi. You can't leave Lexi open. You can't leave Lexi Brown open. OK? Period. Let's go. Sparks ain't out. 9-7. We can't let that keep happening. Come on, Lexi with the rebound. That's that AU. Don't shoot that D. Oh, that ball was deflected. Stolen. She stepped out of bounds. Skylar stepped out of bounds. Get that ball back.
00:15:13
Speaker
Lexi got two rebounds so far, that's wild. Key up! Do not underestimate these LA Sparks, period. Turn, turn already. Jewel stepping back from the logo. Come on, don't do this to us. Hey, y'all need to tune in, it's on the WNBA app. The game is on the WNBA app, check it out.
00:15:37
Speaker
Kia, back, back to back. No, Drake, come on. It's 17,000 fans in Canada right now. Oh, Nneka with the fake. Dang, they gonna give her that shot. They must not believe she can hit that. All right, we can't leave nobody open that long. Come on, pass it. Don't you shoot that. There you go. Take it. Come on, Cam!
00:15:59
Speaker
They already getting the rookie involved. I'm feeling like I'm in positive spirits. Come on. We keeping up with Seattle right now. This is, this is feeling good. There you go. Ball deflected from the, D Erica. Dunk it. You better call the timeout. 17 to 12. LA 17 to 12. Let's go. Y open in the corner.
00:16:28
Speaker
I'm trying to figure out who jersey I'm about to get, because I bought a Jordan Canada jersey, and now she playing for Atlanta, so I'm just going to put it, I'm actually going to try to get it signed when she come into town, and then I'll put it up on the wall in the frame, but I might be getting Kia jersey. I don't know, I think Lexi Brown definitely deserved for me to get her jersey last year, but I don't know what I did. I think I just tweaked out a little bit, and Canada was one of my favorites of the season. She had a really good season, so. Oh, they talking about the expansion.
00:16:57
Speaker
Again, y'all get the WNBA league pass so these women can make some money and be paid and not have to worry about things. You feel me?
00:17:06
Speaker
Also, make sure you share this video with anybody, somebody. I don't care who your timeline, my timeline, just send it to somebody, you on Facebook, threads or X or wherever you looking at this video at. Now Phoenix got a nice little facility. I might have to go down to Phoenix. Where are some of the places that y'all watch games at? I need to tour the country a little bit more this year and try to catch some games.
00:17:29
Speaker
Also, as a selfish Laker fan, I hope the Timberwolves sweep the Nuggets. I hope they're just seven points, four points, two points, whatever. Four games is all they need. Now they're gonna need three more, three more, and the sweep is complete. And I feel that specifically because they eliminated the Lakers. Jamal Murray, take him down. Take him down. Man, I'm telling you, y'all really gotta go look at that game.
00:17:56
Speaker
Also, follow me on threads. I'll be doing my thing out here. Let me actually post this video. Let me make sure I did. But YouTube is where you can find me usually. You can usually find me on the YouTube every single day posting at least a thread, a thread, a reel.
00:18:13
Speaker
Everybody could fan me cuz I'm gonna be chilling here the whole game. I ain't really got none to do I really wanted to be in the infinity TV studios again y'all I co-host a show called the LA sparks weekly show with infinity TV So you will see some footage of me this year on the court with the sparks as soon as they get back in town I wasn't going to Canada. Hey look this cold in Canada. It's a 24-hour turnaround I would have to get a media pass a visa. You feel me? I don't
00:18:39
Speaker
I'm at the crib. I'm doing it from the crib. Thank you. Thank you, Candace, on YouTube. I appreciate you. I appreciate you. Make sure y'all tune in to the game on the WNBA app. I can't show you on the screen, but you got a little bit of the audio here. I like Kia. Kia might be OK. She got 10 too, OK? It's so exciting to see all of the rookies out here with the jerseys on. I hope nobody get cut. I know that's not the reality, but it's looking good out here. Do not let Jewel come off the, Jewel coming off the screen.
00:19:09
Speaker
Look at that. That's Airy McDonald. OK. Airy, Lexi, De'Erika, Cameron, and Kia on the floor right now. Pass that ball, Dee. She need help. Woo! Take that right back up, Dee. Dee with the footwork. Now, De'Erika Hamby has been playing in USA basketball. She was already nasty in the paint coming over from the Las Vegas Aces. Won a championship with them. We got to keep. Jewel can't keep shooting them threes. Every time she shoot, I get nervous. My heart start beating fast. Kia.
00:19:41
Speaker
Kia, Kia, Kia, Kia. Yeah. It's 22 to 14 right now. The sparks are on top, y'all. You couldn't ask for a better preseason. Start to this. Do not. They got to stop Jewel Lloyd from shooting. Exactly. Thank you, Candace, from YouTube. You leave Jewel Lloyd open too long. We in trouble. We in trouble. We are in trouble. If you leave Jewel Lloyd open long enough, it's not going to be a good
00:20:10
Speaker
Seeing I agree with you wholeheartedly totally we cannot let her come off them screens And I know it's hard to it's hard to guard her because she's in and out. She quit. All right. All right That was a flop scholar kind of flop. She flocked off a little bit off the screen Just a little flop you get it. Jordan Holmes is also on Seattle. She played for LA for a little bit last season She got waved and then went to Seattle. So she's been there since she actually left the sparks
00:20:37
Speaker
It's a South Carolina for her college. That's wrong. Let her know the name. A little accident. Hard to guard her, Aerie. Come on. Put your hands up. Aerie just played in Perth and got to the championship. They didn't win.
00:20:52
Speaker
I know that ain't joiner. Stop her. What is happening here? Come on, Rekia. Oh, they got Zaya in the game. They also leave from China. Lead. Don't take that ball up. Lead. Rekia didn't miss a beat from college. Okay. She went straight from Tennessee to LA. She got game and she want to win her attitude. It's so positive. Why would we let Skyla shoot that four shooting three like that? Come on.
00:21:19
Speaker
We got too many steals these turnovers is because they plan to pass in lane, that's all good get that rebound We can't be fighting with necker for the rebounds y'all. That's not a game that we can win. That's why Let's see what's happening on Twitter that game missing no free throw Wow, yep, July
00:21:41
Speaker
They putting together a super team, a college super team, like the Villanova boys and the Knicks, on the Knicks. We don't need no Notre Dame reunion. There you go, Z.
00:21:55
Speaker
Perfect. That's cool. I'm cool with the deflection. We just got to get a stop. You got to get a stop. I'm cool with the deflection. She could have had a layup, but I'm glad she didn't go for that. Times you just got to, you know, sparks V storm. Posting on IX. She traveled. She traveled. That girl definitely traveled. They keep doubling the point guard. There you go.
00:22:23
Speaker
That's all, that looks so, come on, Lee! Take that thing back up, Lee! Lee, she's finding her footing. I think as soon as she start catching that ball and taking it directly up, we in a good position. We in a good position. No worries. Ain't no way. Lee, go and get that ball from NECA. There we go. All those deflections, man. They playing crazy defense. Let's go. Man, that was a good deflection. That was all ball. It's cool. We good.
00:22:54
Speaker
Boy, come on Ziya, they are doubling. That was actually a good look, Rakia. That was a good look. I actually don't mind Ricky shooting like that because you're gonna have to shoot a couple of those. You're gonna have to shoot a couple of them.
00:23:09
Speaker
There you go. She just said exactly what I said. It's most important to take the shot and not make the shot because you've got to get that confidence up. We only in the first quarter, 26 seconds left. The sparks are only down by two and just led by like eight. She fell on her own. Take that ball. Come on. That's right. LA takes it away. 13 seconds all the way, Ziya. Yeah, she fell. That wasn't no, um, and you know what? Nia clouded. We didn't get to see her play last year, but we watching her play right now. It's lit.
00:23:36
Speaker
It's up. I'm excited to see all of these players play. I've never seen any of these players play together, and none of us really have, I don't think. Come on, Nia. With the look. That almost went in. Yeah. Ain't talking about cutting people already. Come on. There you go. Get that rebound. It's okay. It's all good, Req.
00:24:01
Speaker
All right. The sparks first quarter is over. First quarter is over. I'm liking what I'm seeing from the sparks. I'm excited to see the starting rotation get back in there because that's who started off this lead. All right. Nia clouding. I'm excited to see a lot more from her. Rekia has had a couple good looks.
00:24:20
Speaker
The three didn't go in, but that's all good. It's important for her to get that courage and start making those shots. She had an open shot. She was just leaned a little bit forward, which is probably why it was a little too hard. But once Rekia finds that game, once all of the people from the bench also start to do those easy things, Lee start catching that ball and taking it directly up. We man.
00:24:42
Speaker
You ain't seen the sparks crew like this. People are going to underestimate us and we're keeping up with the super team right now with Neko Ogumike, Jewel Lloyd, and Skylar Diggins. That's what we keeping up with right now. Out of control. Out of control. I'm excited.
00:24:57
Speaker
I am excited. And they're playing in Canada. They've only been in training camp for four days, y'all. These girls have only been playing together for four days, four or five days. We in a great position. We are in a phenomenal position. Yeah, I also hope we get to keep Ziya and Ricky. Let's talk about this, Candace. So somebody's getting cut. At least three or four people are getting cut. I don't, personally, I don't think it's gonna be Ziya and I don't think it's gonna be any of the rookies.
00:25:26
Speaker
I think it might be some of these people that we picked up in some of these trade transactions because, in my opinion, these rookies have a lot of potential. You really don't want to pass up on them too quick and they got so much athleticism and attitude for winning that you don't want. I would take them over somebody who's been in the league for four or five years and not been as successful, in my opinion. I would just take that for where we are in the rebuilding phase. Now, let's talk about this one, the Healthy Sparks roster. Yup.
00:25:55
Speaker
Agreed now if everybody on the Sparks and honestly if we had as a ray on the court things would be going a lot different too because as a ray can hit the three ball as a ray can score in the paint as a ray will be in there blocking shots. So we're also not at full capacity here, but it's exciting to see this new team already playing. Yes, the front office did a really great job Candace man, you killing it with the comments. Somebody's wanna join the show girl.
00:26:20
Speaker
You might as well join the show. Cause I was actually talking to Reagan, who's the new GM. And I've got a chance to ask her a couple of questions on occasion, a couple of occasions here so far. And I'm just so excited. Like her energy is infectious. She wants to win. She's excited to serve these players as best as possible and give them the tools and resources that they need, as well as she's worked with, uh, coach Kurt Miller.
00:26:42
Speaker
I didn't know nothing about that. They evidently was working together as assistant coaches. So that synergy, those couple of people working together, I think it feels really good. Look at Lexi Brown with Dee Brown, her daddy. Thanks for bringing that up. I agree. We got a lot of youth. We got people with good attitudes. It's a good time out here. Let's see what Lexi talking about.
00:27:01
Speaker
It must feel a little bit weird just playing basketball against her, having played with her so long. It's so weird. I mean, when I came into the league, we were opponents. But those few years I had in LA with her were so amazing. She was a great vet to me. I learned so much from her. So she left the sparks in good hands.
00:27:16
Speaker
When you think about the defensive intensity you guys have had in the first quarter, although it'd be four games, maybe five days practice with your group, how have you guys been able to get organized as well as you have offensively? We just have a lot of length. And that's something that we were missing a little bit last season was length and a lot of athleticism on all positions. That's right. Defense is all about effort. So we just told everybody to come out here and play hard. We're going to make mistakes. But as long as they're aggressive mistakes. Don't let up. Thanks for the time. Thank you.
00:27:44
Speaker
Here's another thing, when they shoot them threes, you can't get off your feet. Let me turn this down some. When they shoot them threes, you can't leave your feet. Don't let them hit you with the ball fake. It looked like Kurt started the group that was just on the court. Ziya with Jewel.
00:27:59
Speaker
Jewel fouled her, that was a hard foul. Right now Seattle's winning the score is 26 Seattle, 25 LA. 26 Seattle, 25 LA. Jewel Lloyd just hard fouled Ziya Cook. So Ziya is going to the line. She had to do that as a vet though, in my opinion. Ziya, we need you to hit them free throws, girl. Come on. Yep. Joyner Holmes has been developing her game.
00:28:27
Speaker
since she left LA because she is like playing really offensively. I hope we continue to get Seattle a good strategy would be to continue to get Seattle in foul trouble because they're doubling the point guard every single time they're putting pressure on the ball as it comes up the court literally at half court. So continue going right into the chest drawing the foul and that way we can get those easy takes. Come on.
00:28:53
Speaker
Lee with the three! Lee! Oh man, Lee with the three. I ain't know she could shoot like that, Jewel. You gotta catch her. She gonna try to, uh-uh, Skyler. Lee with the three. That just blew my mind, y'all.
00:29:08
Speaker
Very competitive. There you go. Pick and roll. That's all good, Lee. Ooh. Cameron is not cooking just yet. She got two points, but she did start the game. So she was part of the starting lineup and they were up about five or six with Cameron in the game. She hooping, she hooping. Give her a little time. She ain't in the game right now, but all of the rookies are looking good. Mackenzie has not got no play time either.
00:29:36
Speaker
Yeah, Fowler. Skylar is, she's on fire for basketball right now because of how the last season ended, and I get it. Okay, she out here missing free throws too. Everybody get a little miss, I'm glad. Look at them, they pressuring the ball immediately. Come on, Rakia, take it. Coast to coast, Rakia. All of the rookies have scored. Cameron Breen and Rakia have both scored.
00:30:06
Speaker
She wanna win. Damn, that was really good defense, Ziya. That was really good defense. The score is tied at 31-31. In the second quarter, seven minutes left, seven minutes, 27 seconds. Come on.
00:30:25
Speaker
I like how Rakia just pulling up on NECA. I would never try that. Seattle looking work before this. Yeah. Sparks getting that ball back. Pass. There you go, Lee. Lee, you're rude. Talbot on the bounce. And we got a foul on the screen. Get them to foul out. That's right. Let me look at this box score. Who the hell's quick? OK. I thought, let me look at the box score.
00:30:54
Speaker
I hate that screen and roll. I hate that screen and roll, man. It's so effective. All right, Lexi got seven points. Kia got nine. Cameron Brink got two. Erika Hamby got four. Leisha is the only starter that hasn't scored yet. Go to that screen and roll again.
00:31:13
Speaker
Hate it. Skylar just scored. 33, we tied up at 33 again. Ooh, that was a terrible pass. Oh. Jewel looked like she was about to dunk. Jewel was about to dunk. We need to time out. We need to time out. Wow. Yeah, she didn't expect. Rakia was not expecting that just yet.
00:31:37
Speaker
She wasn't expecting it. Yes, we're still in a good position, y'all. It is a very close game, but the fact that we are keeping up with the Seattle storm right now is a monumental feat right now. Cause you, you have no idea what this means because Skylar digging Smith has a proven history of successfulness in the WNBA.
00:31:58
Speaker
Neko Ogumike has a proven track record with the LA Sparks being successful and making it to that championship. Jewel Lloyd is the top scorer from last year. Her team had a terrible losing season and she still put them on her back and scored most of the points. The fact that we as a young rebuilding organization are keeping up with the Seattle storm right now is more than we can ask for in this preseason scenario.
00:32:24
Speaker
They have four days to play together and to prepare for this moment. And for this score to be this close with these vets, you gotta be happy with what we seeing right now. I'm extremely excited for what we seeing right now. Extremely excited. They doing some flashbacks. That's Angel Reese talking in the background. I love this little mirror that they got talking to the players. All right, let's look. Rakia Jackson got four points. She two for four on field goals right now.
00:32:54
Speaker
Lee has three, let me, let me pause cam from talking right now. Lee Yuru with that step back three pointer. I had no idea. I had no idea. I was not privy to your game. Lee, if I had known you was going to hit us with the yogic,
00:33:10
Speaker
Come on Lee, catch that ball and shoot that ball. I don't care how it was a really soft touch. It was a great look. Three Ziya cook also hit a three. Um, no, she didn't hit a three pointer. She's got three points. One of them was a free throw. Nia's got one point coming off the bench as well. Ari hasn't scored yet, but she's only played three minutes. Ray Burrell hasn't seen any time yet.
00:33:32
Speaker
but I'm sure she will come through with her athleticism in this second half for sure as Kurt figures out how to adjust. All right, let's go. We in the second half, second quarter. Not in the second half, but the second quarter. It's only five minutes left, five minutes and 47 seconds in the second quarter. That's Blake Dietrich. Is that who that is? Come on, Lexi. Oh, this is a little too hard. Perfect coming off that screen. 33, LA has 33, Seattle has 35. Wow.
00:34:01
Speaker
All right, let me see if I can add this to the screen so you can see. 33, 36. How would I keep locking Lee up like this? Uh-uh. That was a foul. They absolutely wild. There you go. That was good defense on NECA. Rakia, take it back up.
00:34:23
Speaker
didn't give up on the ball. Who is this? Dietrich black display apply that pressure on defense. The sparks are playing exceptional defense right now. We only down by three. We got to get them rebounds. We can't give them second looks. Now they got a fresh shot clock. Come on, Ray.
00:34:43
Speaker
Yo the passes, I will say the one thing that I'm as far as the passing is way too hard. I don't think everybody knows where the exact spots are and that is okay for right now. Okay for right now.
00:34:54
Speaker
It's 38 Seattle, 33 LA. Sparks have 14 turnovers. That's the only reason why we not really up there in the score is the 14 turnovers. And they score 14 points off our 14 turnovers. Wow. Cameron Brinkman, I already got a foul. That absolutely was a bad pass.
00:35:14
Speaker
I agree. That was not a foul. That was great defense. I was just about to say that. Wow. I don't really know that much about Mercedes Russell's game to be one of my first seasons that I'm getting acquainted with her style. Look at Mo. That was a bad, the passes are high. The passes are way high and that's okay.
00:35:34
Speaker
And they picking that. There's been so many people left to open in that corner too. It's like we, the defense is just letting them shoot from that corner and the wrong person get over there and be crazy. There you go, Lexi. And that was a foul. Three points. Easy three, easy three, easy three, easy three. We'll see how this go. We'll see how this go. All right, so far we almost close to halftime. Let's pull up this box score and see what's happening here.
00:36:04
Speaker
The Sparks have way too many turnovers. That's the only thing negative that's happening with the game is these, these offensive breakdowns where we don't know where the player is going to be. So the pass is way too high, way too high. And then another thing is we keep trying to dump it in the lane and Skylar Diggins and all these people with these fast hands, NECA too.
00:36:25
Speaker
They gonna pick that off each time, so I don't know if we should keep dumping it on the inside unless it's to a player like Lee who's tall enough or Cam who's tall enough to keep the ball away from everybody else. But the only thing you can complain about is a little bit of turnover. This is the first time these girls have played together. They've been practicing for four, five days together.
00:36:46
Speaker
Not too bad, not too bad. Let's see who's leading the score right now. Still Kia Nurse from that first quarter. Jewell Lloyd got 10 points. Skylar Diggins got 10 points. We gotta limit them. NECA only has four points though. Dare I say that Rekia Jackson is holding NECA back just a little bit with these points. Now I'm sure NECA is gonna figure it out and adjust cause she's a pro, been a pro, been doing it for as long as she been doing it. So I'm sure she's gonna adapt and adjust. But four points in the first half is a good place to be.
00:37:16
Speaker
for NECA Ogle McKay, especially she was our leading scorer scoring 25 points on girls at night, 26 getting rebounds. How many rebounds NECA got? Offensive rebounds, one defensive rebound, just one, just one rebound, one steal. I think we're doing pretty good.
00:37:32
Speaker
I think we're doing pretty good Monique Billings just got in the game Rakia Jackson got four points not off nine minutes leave play ten minutes got three points we're doing all right here we're doing all right here Ray only has been in for two minutes so we give her a second to start cooking Ziya got three points Laisha we haven't we haven't really heard too much from Laisha yet she only played five minutes and has zero points but
00:37:56
Speaker
A player like Leisha, you wanna wait and see. You wanna wait and see. You can't make a judgment too early off Leisha. All right, who's from Canada? Aaliyah Edwards is from Canada? Wow, wow, I had no idea. Well, that's cool. Oh, they gonna be playing for the other team at the Olympics. Okay, that's cool. All right, finishing up the quarter. Lexi Brown is shooting her free throws.
00:38:22
Speaker
She just scored one. Now we at 34-39. Give y'all a little full screen. All right. There we go. Good defense at the rim. Just great rim protection. Come on, Mo. That's great rim protection. Ham, shoot that three girl. Thought that was going to hit. That's OK.
00:38:40
Speaker
And Cam could have took that in, to be honest. She could have took that in. We do. We need somebody to lock NECA up. And to be honest, so far, Rakia Jackson is not doing a bad job locking NECA up. I don't think, not from what I'm watching. Again, NECA only has four points. What more can you ask for?
00:38:58
Speaker
And it looked like Seattle got their second string in. There you go, Lexi. Dang, she beat you on the dribble. Good job, good job, Hote. Hey, same team, same team. Lexi shot that from deep. She got fouled though. Come on, we can play better defense. We playing a second string right now. Don't let her shoot that.
00:39:15
Speaker
Listen, Monique box out Billings. That's what I'm gonna start calling them. Come on, Nia. Oh, that's Airy. My bad, my bad. Take it back up. Monique box out Billings. Monique box out Billings. Let's go. Let's go. We only down by three now. Don't let her shoot that. Don't let her shoot that. That's okay. We gonna keep it. Yeah, Airy, Airy.
00:39:40
Speaker
Woo. Joyner is really holding it down. Joyner is really holding it down. That's wild. Oh, Lord, Joyner just stole the ball. I told you they playing this passing lane. They playing this passing lane. We in trouble. It's all good. Come on, Airy. Oh, get that ball. Man.
00:39:59
Speaker
Okay, so the only thing that sparks really need to work on that halftime like pretty pretty pretty please is the turnovers because they probably got like 17 turnovers and I think Seattle only got like four let me look
00:40:10
Speaker
Four turnovers. Sparks got 17 turnovers. Yep, and Seattle got four. LA is absolutely hanging in. I love that these commentators are saying exactly what I'm saying. 44-38, man. We ain't losing by a lot, though. That's why we're not really getting beat. Don't let her shoot that, Lexi. How did she get the offensive rebound?
00:40:30
Speaker
Oh, all right, my heart is beating the team. All right. Halftime score 44 to 38, 44 to 38. All right, it's halftime. Stay locked in right here. I'm putting that on. I'm putting that on Instagram, too. And I'm a pin the comments. So everybody stay right where you at. I'll leave this plan, but give me a second and go grab a snack or two.
00:40:57
Speaker
I think it just starts with the coaching staff. They were just really good this year, especially Coach Christie coming in. First year head coach just continued to lead us. She motivates us so much. And I think just looking at us as a group, I mean, we've grown since the beginning of our season until the end of it. And so it's really nice to see what the future holds for us.
00:41:14
Speaker
the shot you hit against New York to send the game into overtime. Looking back on that moment, what stands out? Just that I had the confidence to take it. I mean, the clock was going down and we needed three and so I just shot it, but I did hold my follow through. So I was like, alright.
00:41:30
Speaker
Hearing that I was going to start the All-Star game as a rookie was actually like a shock. I had no idea. I didn't even think that it was possible coming in as a rookie. I knew you could be an All-Star, but I never thought about being an All-Star starter. It was an amazing feeling, though, to go to Vegas and be in that game.
00:41:45
Speaker
I think just looking at the past couple years to where we are now, it's just a stepping stone into where we're going to be. We've won 13 games this year, and that was a step up from the past two years, which is really nice. And when it comes to the playoffs, I mean, that's just something that we're just going to continue. And it's just really nice to just continue to see the support now that I'm in the league and just can get continued attention that we need to bring to the feet.
00:42:06
Speaker
I just try to focus on my inner circle. There are a lot of pressures but if I focus on the people who are supporting me, who continue to motivate me, then I really block out the outside.
00:42:19
Speaker
The W presented Tangerine Bank proud part of the WNBA and their fans halftime Seattle 38th a jam-packed Roger and Edmond and great intensity I know we talked about the audition stats everything else aside can always elation
00:42:38
Speaker
and that's because they're having a tough time with those turnovers they turn the ball over 17 times but how about Seattle converting that into 19 of their 44 points of turnovers we talked about the offense and talking about chemistry on that end and with a lot of new big time bases
00:42:54
Speaker
for Seattle how does that look but how about defensive chemistry because what you're seeing is traps on the ball the backside you're seeing when anytime you come up with gap like you're anticipating that you shoot it and go finish at the other end so I'm really impressed with Seattle not just on the offensive side but really on their defensive side but you know we love buckets so let's talk about the offense because these two women are combining for 24 points but it's the efficiency they are eight for 15 from the field together this is everything that all what 17,000 people here could have asked for the stars putting on a show
00:43:24
Speaker
Seattle talk about their defense their little but there's a whole lot the preseason is under and Kaitlyn allowing people although she had to take a loss after this one last night when we come back
00:43:39
Speaker
Candace Parker, the most versatile women's basketball player that we've ever laid eyes on. She is the future of the W. N. Goode. Candace Parker beat powers and all three levels. Candace Parker has such a high basketball IQ. She just knows that she can when Candace Park is flowing like the most talented player in the WNBA.
00:44:12
Speaker
There's no player at Candace Parker size with the skill set that she has out of this world.
00:44:26
Speaker
Really, it's that one. Parker with a spin. Ooh, that's pretty. But she is playing well. This is what you see. Contributions in every aspect of the game. There is just no player like Candace Parker. Size, versatility, basketball IQ. I tell you what, Candace Parker is a wizard. And easy. Tough, tough shot.
00:44:52
Speaker
She's just been amazing to watch Candace Parker's evolution. She definitely just means a lot to our league. She wanted everybody around her to win. Pleasure. She is Superwoman. We've got WNBA two times over. If you want to be considered one of the greats, you have to win multiple reigns.
00:45:09
Speaker
You know, I've had to go through ops, you know, I've had my daughters. Canvas Parker is definitely just one of the most transformational players, I think, in our game. Just want to add to, you know, something somebody can't take away. With the first, the Indian Clark.
00:45:27
Speaker
Okay, I'm gonna start by saying just because it was a fact that we all was coming It doesn't make it any special is the way you describe Caitlin Clark first three men's She finds her teammates. She plays with an attack mentality and like I said, you're in constant constant defending Caitlin Clark Welcome to the W we talked about her any other player in that time. She's going to still you change that This is an Indian book Caitlin. It's a different reality I got a little in grade and it's taking a lot of hard work more than anything
00:45:54
Speaker
I think one of the things sometimes when we talk about you is taking a lot of the hard work. What is the work you've put in that you are proud of to be in this moment? I think the biggest is like I always myself. I went to Iowa twice for a big and I think a belief in learn to have and Lee helps. You know I earned. You did or this is a one franchise who got to get back to immediately that will that will help them. Yeah I think the biggest good roster I'm excited about they're a winning franchise. I'm excited to get Indianapolis. I know there's
00:46:22
Speaker
Aaliyah, we're the people at Gainbridge tonight. Just do me, have fun, smile. Okay, last question. Man, I think the biggest myself and have fun. And if I do, okay, I thought you would, but we'll take that. Check from Steve for good luck to have the best NBA. It's a dream come. Embrace is so much fun. Good luck. Oh, good. It's amazing to hear that from her and what she has to say.
00:46:50
Speaker
How aware are you of the connection you have with basketball fans in the Philippines and basketball crazy country that Sabrina crazy as well? I mean, I've played there for and a couple years back. I think it was one of the best successes I've ever had. I mean, the arena obviously. So hopefully I can get back out there and just say a big word to me. I see all the mess and far and see very things so far.
00:47:16
Speaker
All right, y'all, welcome back to The Spark. It is halftime. I am DJ Treacy Treacy, your host. I also host another show called LA Sparks Weekly, where we do on court and press conferences and everything with the team. But we're not doing that today because the girls are in Canada, so I'm at the crib, okay? You are at my house. I just actually let my computer chair down just a little bit. I also have it kicked back.
00:47:45
Speaker
So I got my legs up, I'm at the crib. Let me just give you a quick recap of what happened in the first half of basketball, y'all. So the Sparks had 17 turnovers. That's basically what happened. We've been scoring pretty well. We've been scoring pretty well. We just had 17 turnovers and that's basically what's happening and the only reason why we're losing. I'm kind of afraid of all of it on Seattle, seeing what they gonna come back with. Jewel Lloyd, you know.
00:48:10
Speaker
Dame time low key, jewel time. All right. She can score from through. We let her get open a little too much. Skylar Diggins is a pro at actually driving into the paint, getting that foul called on her and still effectively scoring. We let that happen a couple of times. We've been able to keep NECA at bay, but I'm thinking she going to get hot, go crazy. And we need to continue to play great defense. We need to stop giving the ball up off of 17 turnovers.
00:48:36
Speaker
the Seattle storm or 14 points. We need to stop that from happening. So here is the second half of play. Let's go. I'm excited to see what happens here. Here we go. Already Skylar's in the paint passing into a big screen and roll has been absolutely bananas. Screen and roll. I don't like that. That's what's happening.
00:49:00
Speaker
I want a good shot cam. That's okay. You got to get your confidence in the paint block that Come on clarity. There you go That's right Straight into the paint. I like that. I like that coming off of that transition My seat is way too low. All right, come on. No, sure. There we go
00:49:20
Speaker
De'Erika, pass that thing. We need to get the ball up the court. We only down by what? 6? 40 to 46. Gather your feet, Cam! With the three! All the three-pointers are coming from surprising places today. That's okay, you ain't got your shot in the paint, Cam. Shoot that three, girl. We done caught up. We only down by three now. Great defense, we ain't gave the ball up.
00:49:45
Speaker
Well, it's not a bad idea to foul. You can't let Jewell Lloyd get confident. That's the big thing. You cannot let Jewell get confident. All right. You see how Cameron, once she set her feet and got confident, that shot was easy. Easy. Looking good. Cameron Brink is the top center, and it was the top center in the country. I can believe that. They stayed talking about Steph and Cameron Brink. Oh, look at that. It's a diarica.
00:50:12
Speaker
That was a good look how they talk about camera and the curries because
00:50:19
Speaker
It's her god brother, I believe. You cannot let NECA get that shot. I'm glad that didn't go in. Let's go. Y'all, this game, if you're looking for the actual game footage, it is on the WNBA app. It's $30 for the year. Don't stop acting like you broke. Come on, Kia. Straight up, DeErika. The Sparks are doing all the things that I want them to do today. It's looking great. I cannot wait to get on this press conference after this livestream.
00:50:48
Speaker
Skyler is instigating files. She's instigating files. She really wasn't filed. She went into her shoulder. The Erica straight back up. We're in a good place. We're in a great place again. I knew people were going to underestimate this new look spark sparks team. Sorry. Skyler was shooting and I was like holding my breath a little bit.
00:51:10
Speaker
I knew that they were going to underestimate us because NECA had left. That's our top scorer at the time. Everybody's panicking, but we got a great solid roster, y'all. We got those lottery picks. They fit me in good. They both scored today. They looking like pros out here.
00:51:26
Speaker
They looking like pros. Let's see what Twitter is talking about, that the LA Sparks have a point guard problem. I don't know that the LA Sparks have a point guard problem. I think that they're just doubling the point guard. That's a conditional issue, because who's double teaming the point guard at half court like that? It hand me.
00:51:49
Speaker
I think what's happening is Laisha is usually the person who's doing all of that and being the active point guard and Laisha hasn't played a lot of minutes yet. I think Kirk is messing around with the rotation to see how Nia is going to play and how everybody else is going to play because Laisha was the leading point guard last year. Well, Jordan, Canada really too, but Laisha was playing that position.
00:52:15
Speaker
Come on, come on. And Leisha hasn't been playing that many minutes. Also, she hasn't scored yet. Oh, Leisha got beat off the dribble. You know what? It's all good. It's 52-45. We not really losing. They putting pressure on the point guard. There you go. Extra pass. Lexi, that's cool. We got it back. We got it back. Offensive rebound.
00:52:36
Speaker
Screen and roll, take it to the rim. That's right. De'Erika, you know what I like most about De'Erika in this off season? She really worked on her footwork. De'Erika worked on her footwork. So she hold the ball, she get more comfortable. She bow, bow, you know, taking it up, down, maybe do a pump face. She can also hit a three.
00:52:55
Speaker
It's going, it's going up. Let's see what Twitter is talking about. Not betting on this game, bet MGM, chill. The Erica with the sparks are only losing by five. Everybody needs to chill out. We was just leading. We need to stop falling for that three point pump fake two. Joyner shut her down. That's right, Cameron.
00:53:15
Speaker
Cam swatted to the second row break. You heard what I said. Let's go. Absolutely. Short. Again, holding negative four points is wild. Wild. Let me look at this box four. Let's reload it.
00:53:30
Speaker
Dierka got eight points. Cameron Brink got seven. Lexi, 10 points. Kia Nurse, nine points. Leisha Clarendon still is at zero. I think really what's happening is she's playing at one position and that's hard because she's used to playing the two and having a little bit more flexibility and catching the ball off the screen through. There you go! Lexi threading the needle into Dierka, into the paint. Let's go!
00:54:00
Speaker
Man, they got good, the Seattle has great ball movement. I'm glad, don't let Skyler get hot. You gotta get out there and defend that. Oh, she stole the ball. Join her homes, man, six points. Six points. Dare I say it, I think Kurt should take Laisha out. There you go, Laisha. Laisha gotta get gritty. That's where Laisha plays the best, being gritty.
00:54:23
Speaker
There you go. Stealing that ball from Lexi. Just stole it from Skylar. Take it right up to Erica. Do some of that foot. What did I just say? What did I just say? Laysha, Laysha. Clarendon passes the ball up. Yeah. I mean, sorry. Lexi Brown passes the ball up to the Erica. The Erica gathers her feet.
00:54:44
Speaker
Take it in boom bow. When you've been playing three on three basketball and you are the big, you taking it in on the block, you get your feet together. She has gotten her feet together and I love that she is, she going to pump fake. She going to take you around. You're really going to have to play some defense on D'Erica Hamby. She is going to score. D'Erica Hamby has 12 points. Cameron Brink has seven.
00:55:09
Speaker
High post players are doing exceptionally well. Lexi Brown has 10 points. Kia nurse has nine points. How many of those were threes? She's three for six on three pointers. Let's go. Let's go. Rekia Jackson has four. The bench is doing okay. Not doing exceptionally well. Skylar Diggins has 14 points. Jewel Lloyd has 12 points. We are doing an exceptional job of stopping their big three from getting it coming.
00:55:33
Speaker
If Neko Ogumike was scoring 10, 15 points right now, we would be in serious trouble. But we have stopped Neko Ogumike from scoring, as well as Russell, Vivian's nothing. Joyner Holmes is really coming off the bench, looking like she want that starting spot to be for real. It's crazy, but they got three guards. They had three guards and they started lining up there, so.
00:55:58
Speaker
They might wanna put Joyner in the starting spot, but Joyner's looking good off the bench. She's hustling. I think she got a couple steals too. Four steals, yeah. She's having an exceptional game. She's having an exceptional game. Whoo, this is an exciting game. Sparks 55, Seattle Storm 44, is that what's happening here? This Twitter is tripping. They need to refresh, let me refresh my Twitter screen. Am I, is my TV slow? Twitter tripping.
00:56:24
Speaker
Are they ahead of us? They in the future? Is Twitter in the future? That score is wrong. I heard the sun then went down so I can open a window back here. Give y'all some of the cityscape. Look out into the city. All right. It's going down. I'm glad that Kia Nurse gets to play in front of her family. Not a lot of players get to do that. Let me share my livestream. Yeah, Kia ain't playing like she nervous. Let's go.
00:56:48
Speaker
All right, here we go. Come on, Laisha. Get involved. Yeah, we love a good defensive foul. We love a good defensive foul. Let's go. Let's go. All right, Laisha, Lexi, Cam getting a touch.
00:57:06
Speaker
Yeah! Don't you love when De'erica just pulls up from the free throw line? De'erica Hamby is playing like a champion again. 56 to 54. LA is winning. Cameron swatted to the second row brink. You heard it here first. Let's go, girl. Let's go. Not happening. Get that out of there. Leisha looks shocked.
00:57:31
Speaker
Get it outta here. Ain't no easy buckets around here. Okay, who left her open? We cannot let Victoria Vivians or anybody from the three-point line get too hot. And you go Leisha, take it in. One possession at a time, one possession at a time. I don't, who was that that shot? Wickham.
00:57:50
Speaker
Hey, 60, 58. I'll take that. This is wild. No, it's crazy. Get that out of here. Off the screen. There you go. Let's go. Let's go. Don't let her swing that Blake. 60. Todd at 60.
00:58:10
Speaker
Good, great defense. All we need to do is just get stops, one possession at a time. Take it up, Rakia. Yeah. Don't you love that? Don't you love that? The Erika Hamby is hooping, hooping, hooping, hooping. See how many points Rakia up to? Five? Yeah.
00:58:32
Speaker
There you go. Up by two. LA is up by two, 62 to 60. Stop leaving your feet, man. We can't keep it. Nah, man. Catch that ball, man. We need to get them defensive rebounds. Same pass. In and out. She traveled. Travel. These girls is walking. Take it straight. Rakia Jackson, y'all. The rookies are...
00:58:59
Speaker
You will have to be crazy to not be excited about the Sparks right now. You will have to literally be crazy to not be excited about how Rekia Jackson and Cameron Brick are playing right now. Right here, right now, in this time, in this space, with their athleticism, with that grind, with that grit coming back, defensive, offensive, 64 to 60, the Sparks are leading, y'all. Do not let Joyner shoot. She got too much confidence right now.
00:59:28
Speaker
Harphile. The Erica Hamby's hooping, hooping, hooping. That's wild. Take it up, Cam. Hooping. Cameron Brink is hooping, bawling. You cannot. Here we go. This flyby just jumping up. No. Keep your feet on the ground. Keep your feet on the ground because they're not going to shoot. Cameron Brink, you're a big girl. Joyner ain't going to shoot over you. What is wrong with the clock? Shoot it, Lee.
00:59:55
Speaker
Lee Lee you just hit that three Lee plant your feet let it fly I trust you girl after that first listen if anybody is gonna take the last shot I trust Lexi Brown this is a good game oh my heart is beating fast but you know what the LA Sparks are doing so much better than the Lakers in my opinion
01:00:16
Speaker
The Lakers, they just break your heart. You know, you get to this is becoming a competitive game. I did not have my expectations too high with a brand new team who only practice four or five days together, who are all playing in other places. We got two lottery picks coming and having significant play time. Uh, Cameron Brink has played 18 minutes, seven points. Rekia Jackson has played 11 minutes, five. Actually, you know, let me actually.
01:00:42
Speaker
Let me actually refresh that camera bring 18 points. Okay, so that's that's active.
01:00:47
Speaker
Rakia Jackson, 11 minutes, five points. She's doing a lot too on defense. Nneka Ogumake has four points. Ain't no way she played 17 minutes. Let me look. Nneka has played 17 minutes, four points. Skyler has played 20 minutes, 14 points. Jouloid, 17 minutes, 12 points. We are doing an exceptional job. Joyner Lucas is, I mean Joyner Lucas, the rapper, not Joyner, but.
01:01:14
Speaker
Joyner Holmes has taken over the game. This ain't even nobody who we expected to take over the game, to be quite honest. Not to hate on Joyner's game, because that's not what I'm saying. But you would expect this big three who has drawn this great crowd to be the ones to lead the charge here. And Joyner, with 11 points off the benches, honestly, one of the best things happening here.
01:01:36
Speaker
What is wrong with ESPN? Why'd I say third quarter? One minute and 47 seconds. What's wrong with this? Is Twitter right? No way. All the scores, I'm gonna internet all the scores are jacked up. This mug say 70 to 52. That is not the damn score. Wait, look.
01:01:54
Speaker
What the hell wrong with Twitter? What the hell is the score? I do not care about hockey. What the hell? WVF final. Where is the game that's on right now? Yo, the score is jacked up on Twitter. I don't know what the hell happening, but I'm telling you, I'm watching the game and it's like 62 to 60. Also, 61 to 60. The time is all jacked up on ESPN, play by play.
01:02:19
Speaker
Is this stuck on the third? 66-62 in the third quarter. I was about to say. All right, LA Sparks have 66. The Seattle Storm have 62. We are doing a great job, y'all. We are doing a great job. Let me turn the sound back up so y'all can hear what's happening here. It's not bad. It's not at all bad.
01:02:37
Speaker
I don't like how Skylar Degas is talking. She's talking like she about to turn up. Hey, you see that? You see that? Let me show you. Look at the comments. OK, LA. That's right. Listen, they do. They playing very well. Luisa, the game is on the WNBA app. You got to go to the WNBA app. That's where the game is at. It's $30 for the whole year. I don't want to hear it. These people need to be paid. All y'all talking about on the internet? Let's go.
01:03:07
Speaker
Come on, Lee. I like Lee's game. Lee came to media day with an interpreter and said, you know what? I'm working on my English. I want y'all to know that I'm committed to being here. I'm excited to play in LA. I like Lee's attitude. Lee's attitude is phenomenal.
01:03:23
Speaker
68 to 62. Oh, Nika Mule can't play because of her visa issues. Okay. It's really hard. They talked about that at media day because they had to get Lee to Canada from China to LA then to Canada, which is crazy to go from continent to continent to play a game. But the Sparks organization was fortunate enough to get Lee that visa that was needed.
01:03:47
Speaker
looks like nika mule in seattle didn't have that same look let's go it's 68 to 62 sparks let's go sparks what did i tell y'all listen people are going to underestimate us all season it's because the sparks ended like eighth or ninth last season we're gonna put that as water under the bridge we're starting new with new people young people some trades
01:04:09
Speaker
Different schematics, the team organization has changed a lot. Everybody's committed to winning. Don't underestimate the LA Sparks, the OGs of the WNBA. Let's go. That was a foul. Lee got fouled. Let's go. Agree. What's going on, Mr. J? I totally agree with you. LA needs to cut down on the turnovers. That's the only thing that's happening right now. That's the only thing.
01:04:33
Speaker
With the foul, get Joyner out of the game ASAP. We need her to foul out. She's playing, she's having an exceptional game. I think all of the rookies have done exceptionally well in all the games so far. To score, and this be one of your first opportunities to play professionally is huge. There you go, Cam. 70 to 64, don't sleep on the sparks. Man, Ziya got beat off that screen.
01:05:01
Speaker
Come on, Lee! They filed Lee. They are filing Lee. You look out for my girl. She was holding the ball with one hand, Lee.
01:05:12
Speaker
Let's go. It is 70 to 67. About three. Let's go, Sparks. Come on, Ziya. Look at that ball fall. That's OK. You got to try. It's more important to try than to make right now. We are in the preseason. Do not count. Play that defense. What's on the court? Somebody headband or something?
01:05:32
Speaker
72, Sparks have 72 to Seattle's 67, y'all. We are in a phenomenal position. What's up, India? I see you here. She must've went away now. We need to stop leaving people open in the corner, man. These defensive breakdowns. Here go these wild passes, man. Come on. Lee! Lee, cleaning it up. Take it back. Shoot it, Ziya.
01:06:00
Speaker
Ooh, Ziya should've shot that three. I thought, me too, I thought Ziya was gonna pull it. There you go. Let's go, Ray, Ray in the game. Take it straight up. There you go, Ziya. Oh, back tap. Damn, Ziya. It's all good. Woo. We getting them offensive rebounds. At least she getting them shots up. Come on, Ziya. You got this. You got this. LA by four. LA by four.
01:06:28
Speaker
72 to 67, I think they holding, they holding the starters. Seattle, they gonna put, they gonna put Jewel back in, Jewel gonna turn into dame time. We gotta lock them up. Decca, I am so sorry.
01:06:44
Speaker
Confused as to why NECA is not forever grateful because she be explosive. But let me look at these box scores. De'Arca Hamby, 17 points, 15 minutes. Put her back in the game, Coach. Put her back in the game. Cameron Brink, 11 points, 18 minutes. Put her back in the game, Coach.
01:07:06
Speaker
Crazy. Lexi Brown 10 points, 19 minutes. Leisha 12 minutes, four points. That's a little bit challenging. And the point guard position has been, it's been tough because they've been doubling the point guard at half court, which for me seems kind of extreme, but it looks like it's their offensive tactic.
01:07:25
Speaker
Kia Nurse only has nine points, but she went straight into the nine. Really hard. She went straight into the nine really hard. I'm excited to see how that goes. Monique Billings has only got four minutes. She was playing. She was hooping. She was boxing out. Four defensive rebounds in four minutes. Monique Billings is a defensive machine. Put her back in the game. She's boxing out. Monique box out Billings. Rakia Jackson has eight points off 11 minutes.
01:07:52
Speaker
She's been putting up some shots. She's three for seven in the field. Lee. Oh Lee. One of my favorite new players. 10 minutes, seven points. Lee is putting that ball back up there. She's going for those second chance rebounds. Lee. Eric McDonald only has five minutes in the game so far. Zero points. That's okay. Blake Dietrich. I can see what coach is trying to do. Coach is trying to find a point guard.
01:08:16
Speaker
that can facilitate the ball and also give some assists. All right, Blake has been playing it a little bit. Ari has been playing it a little bit. Nia Clowden has been playing it a little bit. None of them have been successful. Ziya has had more minutes out of all of them and has had five points. So I can see why he still has Ziya in the game because Ziya is doing a phenomenal job so far, even though she is two for six from the field.
01:08:42
Speaker
That is okay. Mackenzie Forbes has also not answered the game yet. I'm give her a shot. Coach give Mackenzie a shot, especially from her March madness street. She might feel the moment and hit a three, hit a two, whatever, but Kia back in the game, she at home. She want to show off for her family and friends, her brother at the game with the baby. She already played 19 minutes though. She got nine points. I mean, she's doing the thing. So
01:09:07
Speaker
So far, I am having a great time, and I'm not sure how y'all are feeling out there. People were underestimating the sparks. I don't know why. They got an attitude, a new attitude. Foul. She didn't travel, that was a foul. It's okay, 74 to 70, there's six minutes and 42 seconds left in the game. We need to apply pressure. We need to apply pressure. Let's go. Come on, Nia.
01:09:34
Speaker
Lock her up! That was, man, I'm glad she missed that. That's Sparks ball. That was a defensive breakdown a little bit. I'm glad she just didn't hit that. But Lee, again, Lee was there to clean it up. We need to keep Lee. We gotta keep her. I like her game. These passes been wild, all game. We really gotta settle down into them. Come on, Ziya, into the, Ziya Cook is explosive. She turning up, all the way up.
01:10:05
Speaker
Ziya is going for it. Listen, she said, I asked her about her, her time at AU. She said that she got to see the ball fall a lot and that, that felt good for her. She needed that because she needed that confidence. Now she's slowing the game down. She said that verbatim is coming to her. I'm gonna post those clips on my YouTube channel. So make sure y'all stay locked in on my YouTube.
01:10:26
Speaker
And I'll make sure I get some of this footage to Instagram as well, because it's extremely important that you know that I'm talking to the players before and after the games, too. So I'm not just sitting here talking about something that I don't know about. I've talked to them about their strategy going into the game, the parts of their game that they've been working on, what they've been developing over the summer, and how they've been building their confidence. It's important. Let's go. We're in the fourth quarter. It's five minutes and 50 seconds left. Sparks lead by six. Come on, right?
01:10:53
Speaker
Ray, with them long arms, just being athletic. Oh, she got blocked, but that looked like a foul. I agree with you, Ray. Let's go.
Sparks' Draft Picks and Strategy Impact
01:11:08
Speaker
Let's go. Ray Burrell, y'all, 78 to 70 is the score.
01:11:17
Speaker
Hell no. Get that out of here. Come on, Ray. Bring that ball up. I love the fact that everybody on the Sparks right now has athleticism. Everyone is playing with everything that they got on the offensive and defensive end.
01:11:31
Speaker
Take it in, Raquille. I see what the vision was. I'm seeing now what the vision was and why we got the two lottery picks that we got. OK, I was a little bit confused when we got Raquille. I'm like, what, Cardozo?
01:11:47
Speaker
Brink with Rakia. Rakia has more flexibility. She can shoot that three reliably. I see why she was a better pick than Cardoza on the, on the, for the, for the lottery pick. I would have liked to see those two bigs together, but that's redundancy. They were creating redundancy. Rakia can drive. She wants to win. She's athletic. And I'm not saying that Cardoza doesn't want those things.
01:12:10
Speaker
I think she fits in better with the Chicago squad as we know and we can see here clearly. Rekia Jackson is not one to play with. She is taking it in y'all. Let's see where she is. She four from eight from the field goal.
01:12:25
Speaker
0 for 1 on the 3 point line. She played 17 minutes. She got 10 points. That matters. That matters. Cameron Brink got 11 points. Two rookies got 21 points together. What are we even talking about here? I'm not arguing with anybody on these Sparks draft picks. We're doing a phenomenal job. We are doing a phenomenal job.
01:12:45
Speaker
A 10 point. I'm waiting for Seattle to put in a starters. I don't think they're going to go out like this in Canada. I think they're going to put the starters back in with jewel Lloyd and everything. And it's going to be a battle to the end because jewel can shoot and catch the score up a little bit, you know, from the three point line.
01:13:01
Speaker
And this has been a great game so far. And again, I told y'all not to underestimate these sparks. They are young and inexperienced in some ways. The Seattle storm has a different coach has Jewell Lloyd, who was the all time, not all time scorer, but the leading scorer last year.
01:13:22
Speaker
They got some things going for them, but we cooking. And to be honest, the biggest surprise of this whole game from the Seattle storm for me has been joiner homes. She could have stayed in LA if she was gonna hoop, hoop like this. To be honest, if she was gonna hoop, you're talking to me on Instagram. Man, man. Shouts out to also, let me see if I get this right.
01:13:45
Speaker
Nah, that's for the Clippers. Losers, bye, see you later. I'm saying that to leave it to be because everybody, all the Clippers fans was delighting when the Lakers got, you know, not swept, because we won a game, but the Lakers got eliminated and all the Clippers fans was like, ah.
01:14:05
Speaker
Take the trash out on your way out of crypto, okay? See you in Inglewood. Step, step. I'm glad the Mavs went ahead and closed that series out so I ain't got to hear nothing else from my Clippers fans. Just to do a little WNBA, NBA action here as we're on a commercial break. Another thing that's been happening good with the Sparks is Dierk can have you with that footwork.
01:14:26
Speaker
that footwork. Sometime you catch the ball in the block and you just want to throw it up. The Erika Hamby has been doing a good job of pump fake using that pivot, using some of that USA basketball experience and that some bring it back. Some of that aces championship footwork back in the game. Let's go. 17.9 rebounds, five assists, seven for nine on the field goal, one for two from the three point line. The Erika Hamby is having a great game, y'all. Let's go.
01:14:54
Speaker
They're giving her a little bit of rest. Sparks up by 10, four minutes and 51 seconds left in the fourth. We're going to take this game home. Let's go. Come on, Nia. They're going to steal that every time you can't keep passing that pass and laying that way. Steal it from that girl. That's right. That's right. I don't even know who that is. Get that ball back. Yep.
01:15:25
Speaker
Yup, yup, ball thrown out by Seattle. It's LA ball. Let's go. Look at Noelle Face. She is not pleased. Oh man, what a great way to end the night. The Sparks is going to win this one. Let me try. I'm trying not to get ahead of myself and trying to be patient. Not to say I don't think the girls will close out the game, but you know, all WNBA games be so close on that screen. Offensive foul on that screen, Lee. It's all good. Sparks up by eight. Sparks up by eight. Let's go.
01:15:54
Speaker
Lee just gotta, she gotta find her rhythm. It's a new team. She learning the new sets. Just do that damn ball up. Dang, Wickham. Don't leave that, don't leave her open. There you go. Let's go, Ray! Athleticism. You not beating her off the dribble. Ray is playing so much better than she played last year. Not off Lee. Not off Lee, you not. You better tell her.
01:16:24
Speaker
Get waist width, wait, wait, wait, wait for your team. There you go. Poster up, Lee. Take your ball back up, Lee. Listen, Lee gonna take that ball up. She gonna get her own rebound. I ain't mad at it. I ain't mad at it. I am not mad at it. The Sparks are having an exceptional first pre-game, I promise you.
01:16:46
Speaker
I am excited about that. Come on, Rekia. Slowly. That's right. Bring it up slow. Seven point lead LA. Okay, Rekia. That's okay. You got to know when to hold them and when to fold them.
01:17:01
Speaker
There you go, right? Look at that no look. That was a good pass. That was a good pass. We good. We good. 82 to 75. Two minutes and 31 seconds left. The LA Sparks are about to close out this win. Our starters aren't even in here. This is an experiment that's happening right now.
01:17:19
Speaker
They swing it, shot clock running down. Damn, Lee. My thing, V2, you gotta stop with these wild, these passes are wild. The amount of turnovers, and I think that's what LA is pretty much gonna wear. I'ma ask about that in the press conference. 11 turnovers for the Seattle Storm. LA had 24 turnovers. That's crazy, that's crazy nasty work.
01:17:47
Speaker
First game though, these people really don't even know each other. Come on, Mo! That's okay, Mo. Listen, I'm liking Monique Billens' game. I like the fact that she's gonna box out. Look at Kurt just sitting there chilling. Please give us that three. Give us that three.
01:18:11
Speaker
Nah, nah, it was already off. It was still in her hand. Yeah, nah, nah. She didn't score that. That's okay. We don't, we don't really need that ball. I don't know. Okay. All right. You ain't gotta be loud about it. We understand it was a shot clock violation. We got two minutes left. Hold on LA. Two minutes left.
01:18:32
Speaker
Two minutes, it's a two minute warning. Mackenzie Forbes is in the game. Come on, don't let a out deep venture here. There you go. Great pressure, great pressure. That's Lee, get that. Mackenzie Forbes, I'm not mad at you taking that shot. I'm not mad at all about you taking that shot.
01:18:53
Speaker
I mean we are celebrating here you see me smiling smiling ear to ear LA they shouldn't have underestimated us ever okay never underestimate LA period. Watch that kickback she kind of traveled you shouldn't even follow her because she traveled she's moving her feet a lot on that play I'm seeing a lot of traveling.
01:19:21
Speaker
I cannot believe they are taking they taking they starters and shit out Take it in right We need to stop we need to stop we need to stop Let it go out
01:19:42
Speaker
I am so excited to join this press conference. I don't even think the Sparks put all their effort into this. Let me sing you a song about how the Sparks are doing so well. I'm telling you, it don't even look like we really applying ourselves too much and Seattle don't have any starters right now, which is so crazy to me.
01:20:08
Speaker
I would not want to lose my first game, especially with this new big three. You got Skylar Diggins Smith, Nneka Ogumike, and Jewel Lloyd. And you lose into, I'm not saying our team ain't stacked, but we got some new girls out here. Some people from Atlanta, couple girls in a fourth year, second year Ziya Cook.
01:20:30
Speaker
Wow. I'm so delighted and shocked that this is happening for me. I love this for me. Straight up, love this for me. Love that the first game of the season we would come out with a W. Love this for me. Appreciate you. Big baby Jonathan on Instagram. Appreciate you, homie. Turn this up for y'all. Absolutely. They can touch it. They can now touch it.
01:20:59
Speaker
Big possession here. L.A. by three. They own the orange. Lee, you got to plant your feet. Pulls for three. No good luck. That was a two. That was a long two. That was a long two.
01:21:10
Speaker
That was a good play. Looking over at the officials saying, we're going to advance, right? We're going to work to the front court and see what we got. We cannot let them win by one or two. We need a good defensive stop. But a chance for a coach to practice something. Hey, I found this play. Let's try it. This might be the time. We'll see if it works or not. Try it. But then also, who can execute?
01:21:34
Speaker
And that goes for both sides. LA prides themselves on the defensive end. This is a dictate and disrupt philosophy in Curt Miller. So with his young squad, he's going to say, hey, on screens, we're going to do this. Maybe, you know, here's the doubles. This is what we're willing to give up. Do you foul down three? This is always a great conversation to have, right? I'm starting to lean into it a little bit.
01:21:59
Speaker
Yo, shout outs to De'Erika Hamby on this one y'all.
Preseason Victory Celebration
01:22:02
Speaker
I mean seriously, 17 points team leader for the day. De'Erika Hamby definitely won the game. She was brought to tears inside of the Media Day press conference talking about upcoming Mother's Day and why she does what she does.
01:22:15
Speaker
and talking about our kids and stuff. And she playing with purpose today. She playing with purpose today. Shouts out to the Erica hand me a Cameron bring bringing it up with 11 points. Lexi Brown with 10 points. Kia nurse with nine points where Kia Jackson with 10. It's like the rookies in double digits. I wish Ziya had a got more points, but she got seven.
01:22:36
Speaker
Lee, seven points. I wanted Monique Billings to have more points too. She only ended up with two points, but she played great. We need Mo on the team. I don't want you to, I'll make my predictions after this. I ain't gonna put this on this official video, but I'll tell you who I think ain't gonna make the squad, man. Kinda making me sad, but.
01:22:56
Speaker
Yeah, yeah! Monique box out Billings. She fouled her. Well, and I loved her intensity on the defensive end. She missed the shot, she got the shot, got two feet down, was drifting a little bit.
01:23:18
Speaker
I am literally shocked. Literally shocked at the Seattle storm. I am shocked that the Seattle storm are going to lose right now. You got absolutely shocked that the Seattle storm are going to lose right now. What? And sometimes this is craziness. How about everybody else? Just said it's Lexi Brown on the bench. You're supposed to be a nurse on the bench so much to these camera bring on the bench.
01:23:48
Speaker
Nia clouda hit the, let's just go. Let's 7.1 seconds and the sparks are up 84 to 79. Let's go. I need to get my sound effects ready for this man. Nope, that ain't the one.
01:24:05
Speaker
No, yeah, put Sammy Wilkim in the game for real. I feel like they don't. The Sparks the future. The Sparks are really still trying out their rotation. Seattle Storm have just given up on this game. They don't have any of their starters. Five point game, seven point one to go. Seattle in desperate need of a score. Melbourne. Listen, she's not going to get it out. Clouded. And that'll do it. The Sparks went down in the second.
01:24:33
Speaker
The Sparks take home the first win of the season, even though it's preseason. Stop playing with us, man. Stop playing with us. Take down a Seattle storm, hustle, grit, resilience. What are you talking about? All right, y'all, thanks for tuning in to my livestream. I got to get to this press conference. We did a great job. Shouts out to all the Sparks fans. Oh, no. No, no. There we go. The Sparks have taken home the win, y'all.
01:25:03
Speaker
The Sparks have taken home the win. Let me give it the clap one more time. Y'all clap it up. The rookies did great. Everybody did great. Thank y'all for tuning into my live stream. I got to jump in this press conference. Stay tuned. Keep it locked to my YouTube channel where all of the footage from the press conference and everything, my final thoughts will be uploaded. Thank y'all for tapping in and I will see you next game on court with the Sparks with the LA Sparks weekly show. I'll be sure to provide the link for that up in my bio.
01:25:32
Speaker
Y'all have a good night and I'll talk to y'all soon.